A new study has revealed that many employers feel that their Gen Z staff are toxic to the work environment. In recent times, more Gen Z have joined the workforce, and employers are learning more about how this generation is different from their elders. According to many of these bosses, the Gen Z are not just different from Millennials and Boomers—they’re much worse.

A new Freedom Economy Index report, completed by PublicSquare and RedBalloon, examines Gen Z’s participation in the workforce. This report asked employers many questions about their Gen Z employees, and what the study found may be quite surprising—especially for any Gen Z reader who comes across it. 

According to the report, a majority of employers consider Gen Z to be toxic employees. That’s not all. Many small business employers specifically pointed the finger at Gen Z workers when discussing unreliability. About 68% of these small business owners claimed that Gen Z were their “least reliable” employees.

This study also investigated mental health in the workplace and how this may affect Gen Z workers. The survey participants were asked about Gen Z, mental health, and workplace stress. About 71% of respondents believed that Gen Z has more mental health issues at work than other generations.

Survey members were also asked how this generation contributes to the workplace as a whole. Respondents claimed that the young generation is toxic to their workplace, with about 62% stating that the generation creates division at work.

Some respondents were also asked their opinions about working with Gen Z employees. Some employers did not mince words about their feelings. One person criticized the generation as a whole, saying that Gen Z’s “absolute delusion, complete lack of common sense and zero critical reasoning or basic analytical skills” didn’t fare well in the workplace.

Criticism of Gen Z has increased in recent years, especially now that more of this generation is entering the workforce. Unsurprisingly, this entire generation is considered entitled by older generations, especially Boomers. Boomers claim that Gen Z thinks they deserve more money or promotions simply by showing up to work rather than working for it.

Another frequent criticism of Gen Z is laziness at work. According to critics and some employers, Gen Z workers are lazy. They are content to do only the bare minimum, and many employers consider this lazy in the workplace.

Of course, Gen Z disagrees with these employers and critics. While some may see their attitudes as lazy, entitled, or toxic, this generation is convinced that they are simply trying to find a work-life balance.
They’ve seen Millennials and older generations spend their lives at work—not to receive anything in return, and they don’t want that.

This means that the Gen Z generation does not prioritize their boss or their job. They prioritize themselves. So, if they need to better their mental health, they will—even if it means leaving their job.
Also, they will never go above and beyond for a boss they can’t be sure will give them a raise or promote them. Boomers think this is a lazy attitude towards work but to Gen Z, this is necessary to live a healthy life.

Some analysts have already come out and stated that this recent study could be slightly inaccurate when it comes to analyzing Gen Z as a whole. After all, these respondents are simply voicing their own opinion.
Some of these small business owners may have some prejudices against the generation which could interfere with honest criticism of the generation. Overgeneralization of any generation aren’t accurate across the board, as well.

Other analysts—such as Dan Space, a human resources consultant who runs DanFromHR.com—have claimed that small business owners and Gen Z don’t have the best working relationships, for a variety of reasons. Space explained, “Since the study reflects the feelings of small business owners, it could be skewed. These types of businesses often do not pay well or offer a high-quality company culture and Gen Z tends to look for those in any type of role or career they take on.”